The Words of Christ Luke 24:8 I. Introduction. A. The world spends much time in printing books and preserving words. B. Those which impress us(or are needed) will be stored in our banks (memory). C. So it is said: Luke 24:8. D. Memory is a wonderful attribute. 1. God expects us to employ it is His service. 2. Think of what would happen if no memory: a. No history, no business transactions, no deeds, no abstracts, no court records, etc. b. Mother would not recognize child. c. Husbands and wives be strangers each time meet. 3. God so created us. a. Not only are we physical--endowed with mind, memory-- created within us a spirit. b. Job 32:8. c. The only influences God exercises on men is through the faculty of mind. F. The Comforter would act upon the apostles as a means of recollection for them. 1. Men do not have this presently--belonged exclusively to the apostolic age. 2. Note: John 16:4. 3. They became forever the teachers of every generation through that memory!(Just as court record is preserved memory.) 4. Imperative there be no mistake in teaching: therefore, the divine help for their memories. 5. Today--do not have direct source of recollection--but have the results. 6. Our minds can become a store for these words. 7. The proper way to answer religious questions is by the use of memory(recall passages). G. Reflection on the Comforter. 1. Basic definition of word "comfort"--that which makes adequate. 2. The vacant place left by Jesus would be filled by the comforter: John 14:16-17; 16:6-7. 3. The special promise to the apostles would become means for world to learn truths of Christ. 4. The Comforter said: a. Act to bring to their remembrance all Christ spoke. b. Guide them into all truth: John 16:12-13. (1 Explains why much in epistles not found in first four gospels. (2 Only the apostles were promised in this world they would receive this power: world would benefit. c. Completely supply what they needed: Mark 13:11. H. The New Testament, containing the words of Christ, is the result of the memory of the apostles. I. We can appeal to their memory and settle any religious argument. II. Body. The words of Christ speak on--- A. The question of creation. 1. The theory of evolution has been joined to Theology. 2. Denies Old Testament record: Genesis 1:1. a. Did not happen by chance. b. Did not occur from a non-sex single cell--but--God in one grand creation made it all! c. Mind(memory) does not evolve from dead matter. 3. So--the weak religious world has thiestic evolution. 4. The theory of organic evolution is a false philosophy. a. Like begats like.(Begin with nothing; end up with nothing). b. All structures of plants, animals, and man indicate such differences that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to evolve. 5. Here is where words of Christ can be appreciated. a. The O.T. revealed: Genesis 1:26. (1 Jesus was there. (2 John 1:1, 14. b. Jesus said: Matthew 19:4. (1 He endorsed the record! (2 Some accept theory for fear of peers(others). B. His position as the Son of God(Deity). 1. Note: John 8:58. a. Other lived before Abraham. b. He did not only say "was"--but--"am." c. Speaking of His continual existence! 2. John 3:16. a. "Only begotten." b. None other like him--before or after. 3. He is the Son of God because of birth. a. Jesus often endorsed book of Isaiah and it is stated: Isaiah 7:14. (Virgin birth--a sign--how & why?) b. Quoted in Matthew 1:22-23. c. Not an impossibility with God--do we accept the creation? d. Note: John 8:41, 42(proceed and came forth from Father). e. The words of Christ are in the epistles: Philippians 2:5-8. C. His mission on the earth. 1. Came to experience death for all men: John 3:14-15. 2. He stated it was accomplished: John 17:1-2, 4, 6, 8, 11. 3. Incidentally, this answers the proponents of a future kingdom on earth. 4. In the epistles: : II Corinthians 5:16. 5. When Jesus ascended back to Father--not one iota of His work was unaccomplished. 6. His mission had accomplished: a. Terminating the Old Covenant and abolition of Law of Moses. b. Necessary preparation for constructing His spiritual kingdom. c. His triumph over Hadean world. 7. Jesus made possible the opening of the gospel dispensation. 8. Words of Christ settle His mission--premillenialism notwithstanding. D. Taking His words to all corners of the earth. 1. His own charge to apostles: Matthew 28:18-20. a. Note: He claims all authority. b. Legislates, executes, and judges. 2. He says to teach and baptize(shows course of salvation). 3. Answers whether salvation direct operation. 4. Further--teach, baptize and teach.(Observe all things) 5. No man has a right to teach differently or to alter the application of principles(as established in activities of early church). E. The next life: Matthew 25:31-46. 1. Answers many questions. 2. Settles all questions. III. Conclusion. A. John 12:48. (Base: Wallace)